Camellia × williamsii 'Lavinia Maggi'
camellia 'Lavinia Maggi' ( syn. Camellia japonica 'Contessa Lavinia Maggi' )
A mid-sized evergreen shrub prized for its unique striped formal double blooms,Camellia × williamsii 'Lavinia Maggi' bears elegant 12cm (7in) wide flowers featuring overlapping pure white petals irregularly streaked and flecked with cerise pink. Occasionally solid white or pink blooms are also produced, adding to its charming unpredicatbility. Upright in habit, if you're looking for late winter and early spring insterest, this camellia provides lustrous foliage and an intriguing interplay of colour and form to brighten acid soil borders in partial shade.
How to care for Camellia japonica 'Lavinia Maggi':
Plant spring-flowering camellias in acidic, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Choose a sheltered spot in partial shade, ideally out of cold, drying winds and away from early morning sun, which can scorch flower buds.
Container-grown plants should be potted into ericaceous compost and kept well-watered, especially in dry spells, to prevent bud drop. Ensure good drainage in the pots to avoid waterlogging. Avoid allowing them to dry out in late summer, as this is when flower buds are forming for the following year.
Feed established plants with a balanced liquid (and preferably ericaceous) fertiliser in mid-spring and again in June. Apply an annual top-dressing of leaf mould or shredded bark to help retain moisture and maintain soil acidity. Pruning is generally minimal — after flowering, trim lightly to remove any dead or straggly growth and to maintain a neat shape.
For container plants, insulate pots in winter with bubble wrap or hessian to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Container-grown plants should be potted into ericaceous compost and kept well-watered, especially in dry spells, to prevent bud drop. Ensure good drainage in the pots to avoid waterlogging. Avoid allowing them to dry out in late summer, as this is when flower buds are forming for the following year.
Feed established plants with a balanced liquid (and preferably ericaceous) fertiliser in mid-spring and again in June. Apply an annual top-dressing of leaf mould or shredded bark to help retain moisture and maintain soil acidity. Pruning is generally minimal — after flowering, trim lightly to remove any dead or straggly growth and to maintain a neat shape.
For container plants, insulate pots in winter with bubble wrap or hessian to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
4m
Eventual spread:
4m
Position:
Light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or ericaceous compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
2 litre pot
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